#but that’s a larger convo that’s maybe a bit more nuanced than that

[tsscat]

Not to be annoying or anything but while this seems like two very similar pieces if you don’t know anything about the history of the kind of sculpture on the left, they do seem more different when you actually do know the context, mainly:

The work on the right is very clearly created for sexual/titillating purposes first. I don’t mean this as a value judgement, I just mean that the work was created mainly to evoke sexual feelings and thus choices made in this work were made for this purpose

This means that the features of the body on the right, ie, the big boobs, the pose, and less clothing were made in a sexual context. All of this of course in a modern, likely western or at least western inspired context.

The work on the left however, was made in a much different context for a different purpose. Can’t ID this work specifically but I would say that this work was very likely due to religious reasons, likely decorating a Buddhist or Jain complex of some sort, but also possibly a Hindu temple of sorts. This of course doesn’t mean it was devoid of sexual connotations, and in fact sexuality and religion can often intersect in art. However, the primary purpose was likely not to evoke sexual feelings but rather to depict a mythical figure, mythological event, etc etc

While again, not devoid of sexuality, this kind of depiction would not necessarily read as overtly sexual as the left image reads in modern western context. This is actually a pretty common depiction of the female figure in ancient and medieval North Indian art, tbh maybe even South Asian sculpture as a whole. This specially to me, is very reminiscent of Ajanta sculpture, and Ellora sculpture. If you look at the women in these sculptures, you can notice a lot of similarities between the figures there and this one. Bare large breasts and large hips were more normalized in this style of sculpture, and while not unsexual, certainly did not necessarily have the hypersexual connotations that the piece on the right has.

The pose struck in the sculpture in the left is tribunga/tribhanga, commonly used in Indian sculpture when depicting men and women and derived from certain styles of Indian dance. While again, this wasn’t devoid of sexuality, it also had other connotations such as youthfulness, energy, etc.

Anyways TLDR while these seem superficially very similar, they actually read differently in their respective contexts. Interesting look into how bodies are perceived within different cultural contexts yada yada

[hopepaigeturner]

Hope's Review of S3: Benedict Bridgerton

Again…a bit of a mixed bag in my opinion. But first...

PANSEXUAL BENEDICT? WE GOT PANSEXUAL BENEDICT? (She screeches at her 2020 self who wrote an entire story around that premise then had to fundamentally rewrite it to make ‘canon’). They delivered?!?

And just as before, I liked moments:

“Love is not finite” speech from Eloise—finally some emotional labour from the boy.

His contribution in the club scenes with Will, Colin, and John Stirling.

I actually liked Tilley. The actress really sold their banter and her personality. Also it merely confirms once again that Benedict likes a bossy girl with convictions. *COUGH* Sophie Beckett*COUGH*

The dinner scene where he stumbled over the question about his art. I think all the acting worked really well.

Again Luke T’s acting is really nuanced and detailed with micro expressions and gestures. He really sold scenes, e.g. when he was talking to Tilley about Paul. Kissing Colin? Perfection! All his gestures and background acting once again were golden.

While I felt the swing scene was a little tacked on, I like when he said “There she is..” when Eloise said she wished to change the world. I think it’s a lovely moment to show how Benedict understands Eloise. He knows she just needed time and space to work it out and return.

However, I do feel that the writing this season, like Benedict himself, felt…lost. No real coherency, no real consistency from prior seasons.

While it was awesome to get pansexual Benedict, if that was the ending then why not have him build a relationship with another man rather than Tilley? While Benedict does sleep around his track record has not been casual--he typically takes one mistress each season, and one that he has a genuine connection with.

If you want to give a storyline justice, have more than one conversation with Paul to show why he’s attracted to Paul. Why stuff it all into one episode? Why make it focus solely on sex?

There are numerous hints about him being the next season. And from that perspective I don’t think this storyline really contributed to that.

E.g. I don’t think we’ve really explored the whole ‘second son thing’ at all.

For me there was a lack of consistency about him & emotional labour. Where was his relationship moments with his siblings? With Francesca?

Apart from one dinner scene we do not get any mention about art. No comment from family about it. No comment from himself. No deflection or even topic arising. And maybe people say the dinner scene is enough, but we literally see no reaction from Benedict after having his heart crushed last season.

All I’m worried about is that they might unveil all this complexity about Benedict (e.g. second son thing) and viewers are gonna be like. Where did that come from?

And it would have been so easy to add this stuff in-literally just an expression or a sentence.

E.g. Second son thing.

Take the scene in Will's club when they're passing around the drink. And Colin says "Are you not the happiest you've been [being adrift]". While Benedict's reaction is funny, I would have loved the camera to linger just a moment longer and show the smile slip. He says this is the happiest, but in actuality?

A couple sentences, even a joke from him or a family member, about him handling the estates. Being the ‘backup’ while Kanthony goes on holiday.

In that convo with Paul and Tilley in bed, why not have Paul crack a joke about second sons?

E.g. Emotional labour.

Why not have him have a chat with Francesca about John. Or a chat with Francesca before her debut. Or hey? Maybe just actually have him interact with his family? The moments when he did were so good!

E.g. Art & Art School

Have Anthony ask about art school, have someone make a comment. And have Benedict just brush it off—his smile a little larger than his usual ones… (and have it in an early episode). Not only would this show how Benedict does not like getting into conflict. Not only does it hint at the pain about art school that will be delved into during his season. But it also shows the front he puts up with his family.

Literally. One. line. One extra exchange.

If you’ve got time for countless other subplots, you’ve got time for a small exchange to help set up your next lead.

But all in all, I’m not fully despairing. I’m just wary for next season. And in the meantime? I've got two years to finish An Offer from an Avid Reader so I'll just lose myself in that.

And do you know what pansexual Benedict also means? A bonus?

Solidifies my head canon of Sophie and Benedict being the artsy, bohemian couple that hosts soirees for all their friends of varying classes and sexualities. Using all that privilege and hoarded Bridgerton wealth to create a refuge for their friends.

[datingadviceonreddit]

hi everyone. Never posted here before (new Reddit account) I'm writing in desperation but also with hope!Some background info on myself: I'm a 24 year old woman (straight), I work full time in an office. Socially, I have a few girlfriends I'm close with and a couple of other friends I see from time to time depending on our schedules. Sometimes I'll go out but I'm definitely no hard partier. Occasionally I'll do things with co workers if the offer arises.Physically, I've been told I'm an attractive woman. I notice I get stared at pretty often but I have a bit of RBF and I am always in a rush lol. And yeah, I like to get to places fast, don't really stall or pause.Anyways, the point is I'm a moderately social person - I don't go out every night as it doesn't suit my lifestyle and my circle generally is not made up of any drinkers, so a night out is usually eating out somewhere then maybe a pub/bar or just chilling at a friend's place. And from what I've been told and from what I can tell I'm pretty good looking. Just trying to think of relevant things to mention lol.I go to the gym as well but I find it hard to talk to new people, I'm usually listening to music or in my zone as usually the men are, which I respect/understand.Here is my issue. I'm having a very hard time having anything resembling a dating life. My last date was last year from tinder. After a few dates with that person we slept together, never saw him again. I was sexually inexperienced and wanted to just kind of get myself out there. He was aware of that. But tinder quickly became exhausting for me. Guys wouldn't respond or only want sex or the conversation wouldn't get anywhere. I tried Bumble too...even worse. With the rare matches I got on Bumble, again convo would go nowhere or no response. I feel like I need to know someone in person, at least slightly to feel any desire to want to get to know them better or date them. I find I can't get excited about someone's profile anymore....and the repetitive bios and cliche pics (something with their dog and /or a baby) it's like, how do you find authenticity ? Enough to foster any connection or intrigue, anyways.Then the larger problem is I'm initially somewhat shy especially around men I find attractive. And I pretty much never meet men in public. Granted I may be a bit closed off but more so, I feel like I don't end up in places where men would hit on you or vice versa. I know technically that can happen anywhere but obviously the watering hole is a common place where it's expected to actually flirt and it's welcomed.After so many years of no dating, no physical intimacy etc I'm just kind of...stiff? Or maybe I assume they won't even be interested, which again I technically have evidence against but it's so hard to shake. I grew up with really beautiful friends , which never helped with my self esteem despite me being told I'm attractive. I guess I can't help but compare. Can anyone share ANY tips on how I can break out of this rut ? A way to meet men besides hitting up a bar or club with my girlfriend's, which while is a sensible and common suggestion just won't really pan out for me or apply very often ?This can include ways to be more approachable to men, or how I can somehow conjure up ways to approach them despite being a love-buffoon? Lol. I can't even usually tell when a man is attracted unless he does the extremely obvious once over down my whole body lol. To be honest, I may even have a learning disability when it comes to this stuff, which sounds ridiculous but I truly can't pick up on nuances or subtleties of dating and communicating with the opposite sex. Things that make sense instantly people or are based on intuition, I sit there and think about and observe...I am a very inquisitive person with a lot of thoughts. I use my brain more than my emotions.I've tried finding books on the topic as well but most seem to focus on finding lasting relationships , I can't seem to find a guide for people like me who have never had a relationship, rarely have sex and rarely go on dates. I can't even flirt, really. I feel like I'm in the spot most people are at 14 in terms of confusion, not 24 lol.So, I write this in exhaustion and desperation. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and any advice, insight or suggestions are truly appreciated. via /r/dating_advice